Canadian prime minister Justin Trudeau received major backlash for calling Castro "remarkable" and a "larger than life leader who served his people" in a statement about his death.

"No @JustinTrudeau, Castro was not a 'remarkable leader,' he murdered and imprisoned thousands of men, women and children," Canadian citizen Lisa Raitt tweeted.

Trudeau defended his comments in a November 27press conference. Hesaid that Castro had a deep and lasting impact on the Cuban people, though he also had his flaws.

"He certainly was a polarizing figure, and he was certainly significant concerns over human rights," Trudeau said. "But on the passing of his death, I expressed a statement that highlighted the deep connection between the people of Canada and the people of Cuba."

Many Cubans agree.

Elián González's mother drowned while attempting to flee Cuba with him in 1999. However, he told a Cuba news station that he's mourning Castro's passing.

González added that Castro positively impacted Cuba.

"Fidel’s legacy is each Cuban and person in the world who has been touched by the revolution," he said. "Fidel’s legacy is in each person affected by our programs, in every life saved from Ebola, in every Haitian saved with our missions, in every Latin American who has had eye surgery."